Note: All characters are property of Nintendo. Some situations are property of FIREmblemFAN.
The air was full of the thick, pungent smell of blood as Lord Eliwood deeply inhaled. He could feel the humidity growing more and more intense with every bead of sweat that fell and collected at the small of his back. What he wouldn't do for a little shade, a little breeze and a little peace. As he wiped his sweaty brow and glanced into the distance, he saw a figure no larger than a pinprick advancing towards him. A soldier of Laus maybe? After all, it was on their property that Eliwood's small army was treading. But something seemed peculiar. The figure was being pursued while at the same time chasing after a rider less horse.
"Very odd, indeed." murmured the lord. "Rebecca, do you see something out across the way?"
The lady archer peered out at the ocean through her thick, green bangs, then averted her gaze at what looked like ants chasing each other around. "Yes," she began, "I believe I do see something, milord."
They both stared blankly into the distance with the blazing sun roaring overhead. Second by second the rider less horse approached and the figures fell farther and farther behind, until one of them seemed to have fallen.
"Why have they all crowded about that lone one?" questioned Rebecca.
Eliwood shrugged lightly and fixed his gaze upon the nearing horse. Moments later Rebecca had walked forward and coaxed the saddled pony out of its nervous state.
"I think we should investigate further," stated Eliwood as he mounted the beautiful chocolate colored stead. "Will you join me?"
Rebecca looked at his outstretched hand and instead grabbed the saddle, hoisting herself up. "Milord, I am not so lady-like that I need assistance in mounting."
He laughed aloud at her defiance.
The pair galloped over the rolling hills of Laus, the sparkling ocean drawing closer with each step their ride took.
"Rebecca, do you see that small island coming up on the horizon?"
She nodded.
"That the base of Laus' local pirates is it not? I suppose this little mess is their doing. Laus may be a ruthless and naïve country but surly their soldiers are better trained than to play about like this."
There was silence only until they arrived at the edged of a cliff. It was not a very large cliff so Eliwood made a point of dismounting and creeping around in the tall grass in order to go unseen.
"Milord," hissed Rebecca, "Those pirates are attacking a young maiden!"
Eliwood strained his blue eyes to see a small figure, huddled into a ball and hiding under and overhang created by a large rock. The lord's ears perked up as he listened to the jeering pirates yelling cruel words at their captive.
"Quite yer hidin' wench!"
"We won't hurt ya poppet!"
The pirates roared with laughter as the girl shivered with fear.
"We can't just sit here and let this continue!"
"I don't intend to, but we can't just charge in there like that! What should we do?"
"How about this!" Rebecca grabbed her bow, loaded a shaft and took aim at an unsuspecting pirate. Eliwood watched in slow motion as the arrow flew with deadly precision. Its sleek silver head glinted in the sunlight as it pierced the fiend in the shoulder. He yowled in pain, blood trickling down from his wound and staining his white, sleeveless shirt red. The pirate whipped around and the silhouettes of Eliwood, sword drawn, and Rebecca who had another shaft ready.
"Men! Attack!"
Rebecca wasted no time at shooting another arrow. Eliwood lingered at the top of the cliff with the thought that Rebecca could take these five beasts out on her own. When one remained Rebecca urged him to rescue the maiden below. Eliwood ran down the hill connecting the cliff to the ground below, dodging the limp bodied pirates and their pools of blood. He reached the overhang and looked down, unprepared at the site before him.
A cliffhanger! Please review!